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Admin desk
A Nigerian Army Colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, has said worsening insecurity, corruption, and economic hardship were the key reasons behind an alleged plan to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
According to Premium Times, Ma’aji disclosed that talks about military intervention began in 2023, during the final months of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“Things got worse towards the end of Buhari’s government when corruption and nepotism became rampant,” he stated.
The Colonel said senior military leadership failed to respond decisively to the deteriorating security situation. He added that he and other officers who shared similar concerns began to identify themselves to one another.
“Most of the officers involved share the same patriotism, love for the country and genuine desire for positive change,” he wrote.
Ma’aji said the plan was first put on hold due to lack of funds, logistics and manpower. He claimed much of the early financing came from his own pocket, with one Army Major reportedly contributing N1 million and another officer providing dollars on several occasions.
He said the alleged plot was revived after he was passed over for promotion to Brigadier General for a second time in 2024. However, he stressed that the failed promotion was not the main reason for the movement.
Ma’aji cited grievances including the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange-rate reforms, new taxes, electricity tariff hikes, corruption, and insecurity.
He also referenced the government’s handling of protests such as #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance, saying many young Nigerians were frustrated by unemployment and economic hardship.
